Sagrantino Montefalco

One of the top wines coming out of Italy.  This is made from 100% Sagrantino grapes in Montefalco, Italy.  Just now really entering its drinking window.  Deep purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is big with plums, black raspberries, clove, and slight leather.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is complex and layered.  Flavors of black cherries, black raspberries, char, spice and just a hint of forest floor.  Long finish.  This is delightful on its own, but better with food.  It went great with Eggplant Lasagna.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen year

This is a new producer for me, and it showed very well.  Purple in color, some browning, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with red and black cherries, slight dried cherry note, and smoke.  Medium bodied.  Firm tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, lots of black cherry fruit.  Interesting as it seems a bit old and not quite fully open at the same time.  It does come together a bit with air.  Good finish.  I don't think the the tannins will ever resolve so best to east this with bigger or fatty foods.  A nice beef stew with an Italian bent should be perfect.  Drink over the next few yea

This bottle was bought on release and well stored until serving.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose was great with black cherries, dried cherries, slight tobacco, spice and slight smoke.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  This is certainly close to peak but maybe not quite there yet.  On the palate, this is deep and complex.  Black cherries and cherries with some char and earthiness.  Long finish.  Great on its own, this went great with a variety of cheeses.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  

This is a blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Sagrantino.  Deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries and an interesting black olive note.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  Very good acidity.  On the palate black cherries and cherries.  Nice depth.  This seems to be about at peak and should be at that level for another seven to ten years.  Nice on its own, but a bit better with food.  This is a great choice for a "Pizza" wine.  

Inky purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is showing a bit of alcohol.  Also, Black Cherries, spices and slight vanilla.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, black cherries, spice and smoke.  Long finish.  This is still young and could use a few more years in the cellar.  After that it should drink well for ten to fifteen more years.  It drinks well on its own, but if drinking soon, give it a decant some big flavors to match.  

Purple in color with ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, smoke and spice.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  This  has a lovely satiny but muscular texture.  On the palate, this is deep with black cherry fruit, slight tobacco and char.  Good acidity.  This drinks well now but is still a bit young.  It should drink well for another ten to fifteen years.  It is nice on its own but would be nice with a Wild Mushroom dish or other earthy foods.

This is one of the better values in Montefalco Sagrantino.  While it may not be as good as some of the very expensive options, it is still an outstanding wine.  At age 12, this bottle is just  about at prime.  The vintage, 2011, was good but not great, so this is a nice wine to see how well one likes mature Sagrantino.  Purple in color with slight browning.  The nose has black cherries, char, vanilla and spices.  Medium bodied.  Silky tannins.  On the palate, black cherries, dried cherries and wisps of smoke.  Moderate finish.  This drinks easy and is probably better with food at this point

Gorgeous, if very young, wine.  This is typically a wine that needs a minimum of ten years of cellaring.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, black cherries, dust, leather and spice.  Full bodied.  Very firm tannins!  Great almost seamless lush  texture.  On the palate, black cherries, black raspberries with some tobacco and spice.  very deep and complex if tight.  Long finish.  This is delicious on its own and will work well with roasted or slow cooked meat dishes.  Best to hold for another five to ten years and drink for fifteen after that.  As good

This is 100% Sagrantino from central Italy.  Typically, this wine needs a minimum of 10 years ageing, but, it's nice to try one young to determine if it is worth purchasing more.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with a "sweet" scent of black cherries, dust, cloves and slight vanilla note.  Full bodied.  Very tannic!  On the palate, this is deep but tight.  Black cherries with cloves and black pepper.  A bit of anise on the finish.  This is 15.5% abv., but not noticeable while drinking.  It is delicious but needs another five to ten years cellaring and then shoul

This is 100% Sagrantino from the heart of Italy (Umbria).  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, spice and slight anise.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  Soft tannins.  On the palate, this has nice black cherry fruit with some underlying char.  Crisp.  Long finish.  This is better with some food to cut the acidity.  Pasta is classic.  Drink over the next fie to eight years.